Cowboys don't look like championship material before late-season stretch

Dallas made head-scratching mistakes, including a muffed punt and two interceptions by Dak Prescott. Eleven of Prescott's 39 passing attempts were deflected -- either by a lineman or a secondary player. 

The Texans (1-11-1) scored 14 points off two of Dallas' three turnovers. 

Interceptions have troubled Prescott, who has nine in eight starts. Per Yahoo! Sports' Jori Epstein, he's averaging the most interceptions in his career (1.1 per game). 

"I've got be smarter," Prescott said in a postgame news conference. "I promise y'all, I'll clean it up." 

Dallas' defense must eliminate spotty play, too.

Despite Houston rotating quarterbacks Davis Mills and Jeff Driskell, the defense allowed 213 total passing yards, the second most it has surrendered this season. 

In three of their next four games, the Cowboys face legit contenders -- vs. Philadelphia (Week 16), at Tennessee (Week 17), and at Washington (Week 18).  Per the New York Times Playoff Picture, the Titans (7-6) and Commanders (7-5-1) have more than a 70 percent chance to make the playoffs.

With their 48-22 win over the Giants (7-5-1) on Sunday, the Eagles (12-1) became the first NFL team to clinch a playoff spot. 

Three of the Cowboys final four games are on the road, so Dallas can't bank on a rocking home crowd to change momentum. 

The Cowboys must clean up the sloppy play or owner Jerry Jones' dream of reaching a Super Bowl for the first time since the 1995 season will only be a pipedream.